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Allthewayanime Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

The ing form

I've got a big doubt about the use of the ing form. My English grammar book says that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses( which are present perfect continuous, past continuous etc.);but I don't think that's right, I've seen plenty of times before stative verbs used in the progressive form, for instance :I've been missing you.

Could someone enlighten me on this matter, please?
  

Top answer

allthewayanime My English grammar book says that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses The book says that because it's 99% true. You will find exceptions from time to time, especially with verbs of perception and emotion. The main reason the grammar books say that is so that students won't make really stupid mistakes like the following: *That bottle is containing wine.

— CalifJim

  • allthewayanime My English grammar book says that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses The book says that because it's 99% true.
  • You will find exceptions from time to time, especially with verbs of perception and emotion.
  • The main reason the grammar books say that is so that students won't make really stupid mistakes like the following: *That bottle is containing wine.
  • *Steve is owning a house in the suburbs.
  • *Joseph is believing that Susan is being pretty.
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8 Answers
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allthewayanimeMy English grammar book says that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses
The book says that because it's 99% true. You will find exceptions from time to time, especially with verbs of perception and emotion.

The main reason the grammar books say that is so that students won't make really stupid mistakes like the fo
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Hi,

But you can say:

I am seeing him tonight.

I am having a shower.

Sometimes it is correct and idiomatic to use the continuous tenses with stative verbs.

Regards
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Yes, that's the problem. It's difficult for learners to see that verbs that are normally stative can be used dynamically as well.

to see someone tonight is to meet them and interact with them, not literally to see them in the stative sense.

to have a showeris to do all the activities that amount to showering, not literally to possess anything in the stative sense.
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Hi,

I believe that learners often struggle to distinguish between literal language and figurative language—hence the problem. The same happens with phrasal verbs and idioms; if you don't use them in the everyday language, you won't be able to figure out their meanings (you will if you memorize tons of them by using the dictionary).
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But in the present perfect continuous why the vb to miss can be used in the progressive form?(it hasn't the meaning of missing, for instance: I am missing my favourite tv program)
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I have been missing you ~ I have been having feelings of missing you for some time.

It's to stress the fact that these feelings have continued for some time.

CJ
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but having here has the same meaning of possession, right?
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I've been having feelings... But having here has the same meaning of possession, right? -- Sort of right: 'experiencing'.
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